Nimrat Kaur, an acclaimed Indian actress, has captivated audiences with her dynamic performances across Bollywood and international cinema. With a career spanning diverse roles in films like “The Lunchbox” and “Airlift,” Nimrat’s journey reflects a blend of passion, resilience, and artistic depth. From her childhood stage performances to embodying powerful characters, her evolution as an actress is a testament to her dedication and versatile talent. As she continues to explore new horizons in storytelling, Nimrat’s insightful approach to her craft and her global impact redefine the essence of modern acting.
What inspired you to pursue a career in acting, and how did your Upbringing shape your artistic journey? Growing up, I was always interested in performing on stage in school and college. I enjoyed connecting with people via that medium because I changed almost six schools. That was how I felt connected with new friends and people who hadn’t known me for a long time. After college, this was something that I wanted to explore as a professional hobby, and that’s why I came to Mumbai to pursue this as an option. My Upbringing was crucial in my artistic journey today because I was taught to be fearless and take the risk to be myself. I have not confirmed the type of girl. Nothing was impossible. Everything I wanted to do was on the table. I was always encouraged to attempt everything, give my best, and not be afraid of new circumstances or changes. I feel like, as an artist, something that helps me because you are constantly being planted in different lands and places, and you have to grow your roots wherever you find your feet wherever you are dropped, so that’s helped me immensely as I am looking back at my Upbringing.
Reflecting on your career, which projects or roles have been significant to you and why?
Every part that I’ve played has been very special to me because I don’t tend to do a lot of different things at the same time. When immersed in one role, I live it to the fullest, contribute every bit of me, and pour every bit of me into that part. Every part in that sense is very dear to me in terms of preparation or execution or just leaving a little bit of me behind. But in particular, the test case will always be very special to me because I played an army officer in that. And, as a thing of trivia, I’ve retained that costume, and that’s the only complete costume I’ve ever retained from a role I’ve played because it was so dear to me that I didn’t want to let go of it. I had the most fun time filming that show. It was very rigorous to prepare for it physically because I went into a very extreme space of physical training for almost five to six months before I started filming. In terms of diet, some insane changes were made. And I recall that entire experience being very different from everything I’ve ever done. So that will always have a special place in my heart. I remember the uniform mainly because it felt familiar to me from childhood, so the test case will always have an extraordinary place in my heart.
From “The Lunchbox” to “Airlift” and “Homeland,” you’ve portrayed diverse characters. How do you approach each role uniquely?
Well, every time I pick up a role, whether it’s, you know, an out-and-out positive character or a great character, these things are just labels. I don’t look at the character I portray in that way. There are different people in different circumstances. The idea of being an actor is to challenge yourself, not to judge the character you are playing. Because that separation comes between something you are, you will always have a point of view on it, and you will embody that person with that judgment. So the first thing I try to do is not to judge the character, not to find it too sweet or too excellent or sour or too grey or anything. I try to approach it as okay, this is a person, and you know they’ve lived this kind of life and mostly, I rely heavily on the writing and the director’s vision and there on try to start filling, you know, my colour between the lines or beyond the lines however the part demands it. I make it my own by bringing my observations of life because everything that you live doesn’t always lend to what you’re playing, so I am a keen observer of life. As someone who loves to travel and absorb as much of an environmental understanding of our world, I fill that up in my characters and bring an interesting perspective on it. I thoroughly enjoy all kinds of parts that I’ve played. As an actor, I have always tried to bring life and reality with drama in a place that I find very exciting and challenging, so, of course, everything begins from the page. You can’t know, create anything unless the story is in place and unless you see the character on the page and with the creators, you know, is brought to light, so I always start with that those are my building blocks, and there on, I try to Have as much fun possible.
Your work often touches on cultural and social themes. How do you choose roles that resonate with these aspects of society?
I firmly believe from the first film, a significant film role I received, The Lunchbox, that every role chooses you somewhere. The kind of work you do and how people resonate with you is the kind of work you end up attracting. And if people feel like, you know, they relate to me as their own, as a girl who’s come up into this arena from among themselves, that kind of role I’ll attract, and I find then them as a great blessing I love that, and I thrive on it because I live such an ordinary life being from very ordinary and a simple army background, where my father was a farmer and somebody who grew up in a village and went to school on scholarships. And, you know, I am a fruit of that tree.
Your work often touches on cultural and social themes. How do you choose roles that resonate with these aspects of society?
I firmly believe from the first film, a significant film role I received, The Lunchbox, that every role chooses you somewhere. The kind of work you do and how people resonate with you is the kind of work you end up attracting. And if people feel like, you know, they relate to me as their own, as a girl who’s come up into this arena from among themselves, that kind of role I’ll attract, and I find then them as a great blessing I love that, and I thrive on it because I live such an ordinary life being from very ordinary and a simple army background, where my father was a farmer and somebody who grew up in a village and went to school on scholarships. And, you know, I am a fruit of that tree.
My mother was a small-town girl and somebody who grew up in a town called Pilani in Rajasthan and was married into the Army then, so I’m a product of much simplicity and people of people from the people that come from a grassroots level. So that is a huge blessing. The paths that go to me, whether they’re of social relevance or they have thematically been able to leave an impact or experientially influence people. That is interesting. Paths and roles seek me, and they have come to me because somewhere energetically, I might have invited them or attracted them towards me. I like to keep the variety alive. That’s the one thing I want to do because a lot of the things that sometimes come to me can feel repetitive in different things in a way where I can have fun and provide entertainment with the variation. Hence, it’s because it’s not just a social message or something that’s not my motivation as an actor. I want to entertain, be relatable, and be somebody who stands out by being alive on celluloid and then on the silver screen and relates to somebody I’m playing. However, while I’m from among you, I find that balance exciting and strive to pursue it.
How has your experience working in both Bollywood and international projects influenced your perspective on storytelling?
Whether I’ve worked in international or domestic projects, theatre or ad films, my perspective on storytelling has always been the same. I strive to be as honest and entertaining as possible, living the truth of that moment, whether on stage, on camera, in India or abroad. The fact of the moment makes an actor interesting, relatable, and alive on camera. It’s a therapeutic and surreal experience when living a reality that’s just make-believe. But in that moment, it’s fundamental for you and everyone else to experience it, whether it’s the cinematographer capturing that moment the director directs or everyone else collectively bringing their energy into it. So, my idea of storytelling is always about honesty and bringing my honest best to the table, no matter what I’m playing or where I’m playing. This storytelling universality connects us all, no matter our roles or locations.
You’ve worked with directors and actors from various backgrounds. Is there a collaboration that is particularly memorable or impactful for you?
Again, every collaboration and experience I have been blessed with has always taught me a lot. I always take away every experience learning either how to do things better or realizing what not to do, which are essential lessons and learning learnings think one goes with the other. You can only sometimes, you know, know what to do without knowing what not to do and vice versa. The one experience that stands out for me for multiple self-evident reasons is having worked with Mr Bachchan in a film that’s yet to be released. I would love to talk more and more about that once you know the release of that film closer, but that was a life-changing experience because to be in the same room as him and to watch him, I believe it to be such a massive privilege and something that I will always be very grateful for to life it’s not something that I take for granted even for a single moment. I’ll always be very thankful to share celluloid spray space with such a stalwart of historical importance in our collective conscience. He’s practically a cinematic journey, walking around in a room. And just watching him work was such a great experience for me, and more on that later. But that truly is a bucket list moment for me in my career.
Which character that you’ve played do you feel the closest personal connection to, and why?
The character that I feel closest to, or a lot for again, is Shikha Sharma from Captain Shikha Sharma from the test case because I found her to be strong, very real, and a go-getter who wouldn’t stop at anything. Also, the fact that she’s playing in she’s in the Army and I’m playing an army officer was very dear to me. That was the first thing I ever wanted to do growing up. I wanted to be an army officer growing up, and then, you know, I changed my mind because I realized how tough it was, so that part, for those reasons, will always be very close to my heart. And being an army kid, it’ll always be very special to me to have played one. And I love that having played that, I know I’ve met many girls, whether they’re in the CISF, CRPF, BSF, or Army. I’ve met many women who’ve told me they got so inspired by that series. You know, they went into the forces because of that series. And that always moves me immensely. It has made a real difference at a level that is most dear to me. I find that a tremendous gift and am always very grateful. So, for that reason, I hold the test case very close to my heart, having played Captain Shikha Sharma.
How do you see your career evolving in the coming years, and are there specific types of roles you aspire to take on?
I do believe that I have entered, I would like to say, the most exciting phase of my career where I’m at a station and a place where people come to me with very thrilling parts and with stories which are unconventional, with parts that are unconventional, that require a certain kind of an understanding experience and a certain kind of presence um that I know I can bring today which I couldn’t have brought to the table 10 years ago I know that it’s going to be an enjoyable ride with a lot of really crazy, eclectic parts coming to me. Sometimes, you know, the parts that come to me scare me and intimidate me. And I’m unable to handle, you know, the initial fears that I feel. But that also is the most exciting part of storytelling or being an actor, so I know instinctively and experientially that this is the most exciting phase I’m entering. I want to explore all kinds of genres. I’d love to explore horror but still need to do that. However, I do not like watching a scary or horror film; the sentiment of paying money to be scared is something beyond me. I find it terrifying, but I’d love to be in a horror film. A romantic comedy is something I have yet to attempt. I’d love to experience that and dabble with that. There is so much to be done. I just started a fascinating phase of my career.
How do you balance your professional commitments with your personal life and self-care?
I love to take breaks between the parts I play, and my personality type and nature need to replenish myself, rejuvenate myself, and feel energized and inspired to get into work mode. I need help to go from set-to-set break. That’s not my style. I enjoy taking a short break, and I love travelling within India the most when I’m shooting abroad or doing anything. I make the most of my time there and, you know, like to travel locally. I’m huge on hiking, trekking, and generally taking road trips. I enjoy that a lot, and I won’t compromise on my lifestyle regarding nutrition, sleep hygiene, working out, and keeping my mental faculties in check and order because, when you’re working, things can get very stressful. There are deadlines. Work environments can sometimes be challenging because of restraints and other circumstances people can’t control. There’s much stress that one has to sometimes work under, so it’s essential to replenish yourself and to refuel all your abilities, you know, which eventually will show up on the screen, so I would not say I like to function out of deficit or a low amount of stamina I want to work out of having slept well being fed having travelled a bit having had different life experiences and then coming back to creating magic on screen I love to spend time with my family with my loved ones. I go out of my way to ensure that I stay close to my friends, loved ones, and family Because I can’t function normally without them. So, I make exceptional efforts to stay close to them.
Share a behind-the-scenes anecdote or moment from one of your recent projects that left a lasting impression on you.
The scene moment for me again is from a movie in which I had a massive fear of heights. So, one of the first sequences we were shooting was on a dam. I had to wake up around 1 a.m., get ready, and travel a fair distance to reach this dam, which we had to catch the morning light on. I was petrified and terrified of standing there, dissecting and thinking about the scene. It comes at some point in the middle of the movie, but while I was filming, it was like one of the first two days of shooting. It was the most terrifying experience where my personality was overtaking me.
My personal fears were actually overtaking my acting abilities. I was actually stuttering and shivering; my co-actor was comforting and lovely. However, I was so horrified by the height that I tried hard not to see down. I also fear drones because one of the sequences was being shot by a drone and by a camera on a drone. And I have a fear of drones falling on my head and coming and banging into me.
All kinds of strange, weird thoughts about drones: so I was terrified that the drone’s going come and bang into my head, and then I’m gone fall, and I’m gone, be down. And I’m gone be swept away. And there were all kinds of thoughts and fears in my mind. So I was petrified. So there at that moment, you know, to win over that fear and to let that scene take over and to perform despite all of that left me with a lot of very positive messaging within my head where I was like, you know, when you decide to do something and when you get down to it it’s the story you tell yourself. It’s the narrative that determines what you can and can’t do. If I told myself there that I can’t do this, is it, this is what I can’t do, it wouldn’t have happened. However, it was there that I caught myself. I looked after whatever I feared, and I told myself, you know what, Nimrat? You’ve got it, you can do it, and you will do it, and sure enough, I did. So that’s a great note to self and a point to self that sometimes you must be your hero and see where life takes you. And it’s always to a place where you land on your feet.
Are there any films or actors who have inspired your approach to acting or storytelling?
There are so many actors, so picking one takes a lot of work. But Sharvari is growing up. Even as an actor today, I find her so balanced and beautiful. She portrays her characters effortlessly because she does not judge anyone she plays.
She can practically become anything. She’s always open to what she’s playing- just gliding in somewhere. Her approach to acting and playing a part is charming.
Sharvari’s performances are a breath of fresh air. She allows the audience to immerse themselves in the story without creating artificial or synthetic feelings. Her authenticity is exciting and inspirational, making her a top actor I aspire to emulate one day.
How do you think Indian cinema is perceived globally, and how has your international work contributed to this perception?
I don’t know if my work contributed to the perception of Indian cinema abroad. But I know The Lunchbox is probably one of the most loved Indian movies worldwide. And for that, I’ll always be very blessed. While doing ad films and theatre, this film came to me and fell in my lap. I didn’t even audition for The Lunchbox. It was because the director was looking for a new actor, somebody who was pretty unseen and not overexposed and the casting director at the time, me, she rests in peace, she’s not alive anymore. Her name is Seher Lateef. She played a big part in my being cast in the movie. And she took Ritesh Patra to watch two of my plays then. And then we met Ritesh and I, and the rest was history. I feel like The Lunchbox is something people resonate with as a movie. I feel fortunate to have been a part of that and to be a part of the immortal journey of Mr Irrfan Khan. Being in that movie with him was another big blessing I’ll always be grateful for. So that’s one that I know that people love and have resonated with. Other than that, Dian cinema is growing considerably abroad, and anywhere else, so many Indian actors are being cast in such big projects. It’s lovely to see South Asian actors everywhere, and I feel like it was a matter of time because there are so many of us. We’re nearly 2 billion people, and our industry is the largest in the world. So, it was only a matter of time before the West woke up. And now, especially with the world becoming such an eclectic mix of people. It’s only essential and sensible for projects to put all sorts of faces and actors into projects. So, I feel thrilled seeing Indian actors doing such incredible work abroad.
What are some of your passions or interests that you enjoy pursuing besides acting?
I adore travelling. Nothing replenishes my soul more than travelling to different places and experiencing other people, cuisines, and languages.
I feel most alive when I’m in the middle of nature. I love going to wildlife parks and reserves, travelling within India, and going absolutely anywhere to enjoy what the Indian diaspora has to offer. I love it. I love hiking and trekking, enjoying nature, and spending time with my cats.
I have two Indy cats. I’ve had them now for almost 17 or 18 years. I love spending time with them and doing regular things like going for a drive and catching up with friends over coffee or a meal. One of my favourite things to do is to go out for a coffee when catching up with friends over a coffee or a meal. One of my favourite things is going out for coffee when it’s raining in Mumbai. I love it. I also love visiting spiritually charged places, whether temples, dargahs, gurudwara or a church. I love to explore areas where people come with faith and hope, and everybody is collectively there for the reason that is dear to them. And I feel like the kind of energy and vibration that some of these places have, if you just tap into it or if you’re able to dip your feet into that, it’s a great blessing, so I have specific areas that I love going back to so yeah that’s my thing.
What advice would you give to young actors who aspire to follow in your footsteps and impact the industry?
As we know now, the industry is very different from the one I entered when I had just come to Mumbai. There are no short-term gains. Everything takes time. Today, it is tough to leave an impact somewhere. It’s very important to hone your skills well anybody can have their two minutes of fame on Instagram or being a being an influencer or uh you know coming up with a gig that’ll get you quick attention and a lot of eyeballs but then for sustainability and for something that will last you a long time and give you returns for a long time and you’ll grow as a person with you have to invest time attention and hard work because there sre no short goals for that the returns you get as a human being and the kind of a self-taught knowledge bank that you kind of create by trying different things by failing by attempting constantly attempting different things enrich yourself with different experiences learn from one’s mistakes and just remember that you know sooner or later your destiny will find you and the harder you work the luckier you get I have genuinely believed that from the word from the time I came to Mumbai and I do know that life is really rewarding and it’s waiting to give you everything you wish for and more just keep working hard.
